The drugs don’t work, they just make you worse

Social Issues Jun 09, 2024 Paris Williams

Paris Williams, a psychologist, challenges conventional views on mental health and psychosis in his groundbreaking book "Rethinking Madness," advocating for a paradigm shift in understanding and treatment. Through insightful research and case studies, he demonstrates that embracing struggles rather than masking them with quick fixes may lead to profound transformation and full recovery. Surprisingly, traditional Western medical approaches often hinder recovery compared to holistic models found in some of the world's poorest nations.

The Agnews Hospital Study, a landmark research effort, revealed that long-term use of antipsychotic medication may do more harm than good, with those never receiving medication showing greater improvement and less pathology over time. Similarly, WHO studies suggest that patients in developing countries often fare better than those in developed nations, challenging the efficacy of Western treatment approaches.

Williams explores the idea that supported psychotic episodes may offer valuable insights and contribute to societal change, citing historical figures like Sir Isaac Newton and Vincent van Gogh. He emphasizes the goal of the recovery process as embracing our unique humanity rather than conforming to a narrow definition of normalcy.

Other psychological frameworks, such as the Process Paradigm and models proposed by Isabel Clarke and John Teasdale, shed light on the complexities of psychosis and the importance of holistic approaches to mental well-being. Ernest Becker's concept of the "denial of death" and Otto Rank's exploration of life and death fears further enrich the discourse, highlighting the existential dilemmas inherent in human existence.

Williams introduces his Duality/Unity Integrative model (DUI), which explores the interplay between individuality and interconnectedness, suggesting that imbalance in these poles can lead to dis-ease. Drawing from Eastern philosophies, he advocates for a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with each other and the natural world.

Ultimately, Williams invites readers to reconsider their relationship with themselves and the world around them, advocating for empathy and compassion as essential tools for healing and societal transformation. Embracing our struggles and interconnectedness, he suggests, may hold the key to navigating a world in desperate need of change.

 

Project: You Are Loved - The 2000km Walk for Suicide Prevention PoliticsEnvironmentSocial IssuesCulture Project: You Are Loved - The 2000km Walk for Suicide Prevention Meet the woman walking 2000km from Bluff to Cape Reinga. Spreading her message of Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention, Rebecca Kylie Jacobs will be taking the first steps of her massive journey from Stirling Point on February 13th 2020. Read Growing up with Asperger's Social IssuesCulture Growing up with Asperger's I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when I was 16. Before then though, my life hadn't been the easiest... Read Unconditional Love, Ageing with Dignity, and Recognising Narcissism Social IssuesCulture Unconditional Love, Ageing with Dignity, and Recognising Narcissism For nearly sixteen years, I worked as a diversional therapist at Princess Alexandra Retirement Village in Napier. Two weeks ago, I made the difficult decision to resign. Read A Journey of Tribulation & Triumph Social IssuesCulture A Journey of Tribulation & Triumph So far my journey with anxiety and depression has gone on for forty years or close to it. They have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. In some ways I have been really lucky but as is the case with most people there have been ups and downs. Read The Journey to Self-Understanding Social Issues The Journey to Self-Understanding In my experience, the key difference is the depth of self-reflection these individuals have undergone. Put simply, it’s about how well someone knows themselves. You can’t determine where you fit in the world if you don’t first recognize the essence of who you are. Read What are Depression & Anxiety? Social IssuesCulture What are Depression & Anxiety? There is a desperate and growing need in NZ for children and parents alike to understand what depression and anxiety actually are. This short animation was made with the oversight of a child psychiatrist and counsellors. It presents these emotions in a way that removes the stigma and brings about clarity for the child so that when he or she does inevitably feel these feelings, they can see it as a normal part of life. Read
Help Us Help Others!

Your donations are incredibly important for us, and enable us to use our initiatives to help our fellow Kiwis.

Donate today
Join Our Newsletter

For the latest news and projects, keep up-to-date with our newsletter. We promise not to spam you; we get enough of that ourselves!